Pain management technique for patients undergoing heart surgery

Deep Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block : Effect on the Quality of Postoperative Recovery After Cardiac Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Institute Arnault Tzanck, France · NCT06895876

This study is testing a new pain management technique for patients having heart surgery to see if it can help them recover better than traditional methods that use opioids.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment128 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorInstitute Arnault Tzanck, France Academic / other
Locations1 site (Saint Laurent du Var)
Trial IDNCT06895876 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the deep parasternal intercostal plane block (TTMPB) for managing postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It aims to improve recovery quality by providing better analgesia compared to traditional methods, which often involve opioids that can have significant side effects. The study focuses on patients who require sternotomy for cardiac procedures and assesses the impact of this nerve block on postoperative recovery outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients scheduled for cardiac surgery that involves sternotomy.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency procedures or those with severe comorbidities such as hemodynamic instability or chronic pain may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance pain management and recovery quality for patients after cardiac surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific efficacy of TTMPB has not been extensively evaluated, similar nerve block techniques have shown promise in improving postoperative pain management in other surgical contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients requiring cardiac surgery with sternotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Emergency procedure
* Procedures requiring lateral chest drainage
* Hemodynamic instability
* Severe kidney or liver failure
* BMI \> 40
* Chronic pain
* Allergy to local anesthesics
* Pregnant woman
* Long term opioïds use

Where this trial is running

Saint Laurent du Var

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Nerve BlockTransversus thoracic muscle plane blockCardiac surgeryPostoperative analgesiaQuality of recoveryQoR-15
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.